The Macon County Department of Social Services would like to extend our appreciation to the following sponsors for their generous contributions, which helped to brighten Christmas for our children in foster care:

As a wildlife correspondent and North Carolina resident, I am appalled by Brasstown’s planned New Year’s Eve “Opossum Drop.”

During the event, a live opossum who has been snatched from the wild is suspended above a raucous crowd in a Plexiglas box for hours before being “dropped” about 40 feet, a terrifying ordeal for a timid animal who naturally avoids human contact. The frightened opossum is subjected to a screaming crowd, fireworks, and gunfire. It’s no wonder that eyewitnesses have reported that opossums used in previous years were shaking in fear. Afterwards, the traumatized opossum is apparently released in a parking lot, putting her in danger of being hit by a car.

To all 99 percenters! You had better be paying attention to what Newt Gingrich and his cronies are proposing for the future of your country! Get informed about what is being thrown out there. Then, get involved! YOU matter and your vote matters come next November. Don’t think it’s too early! The Republicans and Tea Partiers are not waiting to take control of your lives. They already have a good foothold. You may not agree with all that your President has done but don’t forget what has been accomplished.